Huge blaze severely damages dumper truck in Lee Moor quarry

The articulated truck weighed around 40 tonnes and sustained significant damage following the incident which sent large clouds of black smoke into the sky

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A large six-wheeled dumper truck became engulfed in flames during a blaze at a quarry near Plymouth this afternoon (July 25). Fire crews from Plympton and Yelverton rushed to the incident in Lee Moor at around 1.20pm this afternoon (July 25).

According to Plympton Fire Station, the large vehicle vehicle - weighing around 40 tonnes - was alight with thick black smoke billowing into the air. Fire crews quickly extinguished the flames with help from the workforce at the quarry who saved the day supporting fire fighters with a water tanker to use to supply deliveries.

Firefighters shared pictures of the incident on social media showing flames coming from the vehicle and black smoke billowing into the sky. In a statement on Facebook, a spokesperson for Plympton Fire Station wrote: "Earlier this afternoon we [were] alerted to a large vehicle fire up at the quarry on Lee Moor.

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"On arrival the large vehicle was fully engulfed in flames with thick black smoke billowing into the air. We setup a team in breathing apparatus and attacked the vehicle with our hose reel and then had support from Yelverton Fire Station who likewise setup another team in breathing apparatus, and used a 45mm attack line.

"Both teams quickly had the fire under control and had it extinguished before it spread to nearby gorse bushes. The workforce from the quarry saved the day supporting us with a water tanker for us to use to supply our deliveries. Overall, a great team effort from all involved."

A statement on the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service website says the cause of the fire was accidental. A spokesperson said: "Crews from Plympton and Yelverton attended a six wheeled dumper truck on fire at a quarry in Lee Moor.

"This was one large articulated dumper truck approximately 40 tonnes in weight. Fire within engine compartment and cab, 100 per cent damage sustained and 25 per cent heat and flame damage to the trailer.

"Crews extinguished using four breathing apparatus, one hose reel jet, one covering jet, one ground monitor, two thermal imaging cameras and water supplemented by on site tractor and bowser unit. The cause of the fire was accidental."